William frank sutherland



w. F. SUTHERLAND ELECTRICAL MEASURING INSTRUMENT Filed Aug. 28, 1925 oct. 25 l1927. M465@ lll Patented Det. 25, i927.

rarest ortica,

WILLIAM FRANK SUTHERLAND, 0F (TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA.

ELECTRICAL MEASURING INSTRUMENT.

Application led August 28, 1925.

My invention relates to meters or other instruments of the type wherein mechanical movements are produced proportionate to the quantitive electrical characteristics of a circuit under consideration, and particularly to that type of instrument which indicates the product of volts and ampercs in an electrical circuit through which an alternating current is flowing. More particularly the object orp the invention is to provide amethod and a mechanism incorporating the Y method whereby through the intermediary of suitable and well known recording or indicating means `the product of the voltage and current will be given without respect to any phase diiterence which may exist between them.

Various arrangements have been suggested from time to vtime and I am well acquainted with the prior state ot the art. In particular I am well aware of the claims advanced in United States Patents Nos.

` 1,342,081 and 1,342,082, in which methods are given for the operation of an alternating current wattnieter which consists in iinpressing on its voltage coils a voltage proportionalto the voltage of an alternating current circuit, supplying to the current winding of the said meter a current proportional to the current inl the said circuit, and shitting the phase position of the current supplied to the current winding of the said meter with respect to the current in 'said circuit oppositely to any phase shifts which occur iii-the circuit with respect to the volt-- age of said circuit.7

I am also aware ot' the construction shown in British Patent 131,405 of 19H? wherein a voltage element energized by two or more currents proportional to line voltage and o'f differing phase relationships is placed in inductive relationship with a current element energizedby a current proportional to line current, a torque element being interposed between the aforesaid voltage and current elements.

In the above mentioned patent the voltage element is capable ot rotation about its axis so that an equilibrium position is maintained in which a flux due to any or all ot the voltage coils and which is displaced by .a constant value of 90 electrical degrees K' from the flux due to the current coils. interacts with this current flux to produce torque, In other words, in the above mentioned Serial No. 53,095.

patents, the flux due to line current and that due to line voltage which interact in the meter element to produce a torque proportional. to volt-amperes, vary respectively in magnitude as the line current and voltage but are fixed in respect to their relative phase displacement, irrespective ot' the phase displacement existing between line current and line voltage.

My invention diers materially from that claimed in the abovementioned patents, in that the fluxes due to linecurrent and line voltage, acting on the torque element of my measuring instrument are not only proportional in magnitude to the current and voltage but also vary in phase relationship in agreement with the phase relationship existing between the line current and linevoltage. Compensation isnot obtained for varying power factor by the securing of a constant phase relationship between the fluxes in the meter irrespective of the phase relationship of line current and voltage, but by a. mechanical compensation for this varying phase angle, the meter fiuxes producing torque being proportional. to and in definite and fixed phase relationship withthe line current and voltage.

I attainmy object through the creation and summation ot two or more torques, the algebraic resultant torque sum being proportional to the product of the line current and line'voltage ot' the alternating current circuit under consideration.

More particularly my inventionv can be considered as providing t'or the summation of two or more torques the algebraic sum ot' which is proportional to EI singl-EI cosg: where E is the line voltage: l the line current, and 0 the phase angle ot the line current with respect to line voltage or impressed E. M. I?. rIhe summation of two torque-s groups, EI sin26 and EI cos20 produces a resultant torque equal to EI without respect to the phase angle existing between line current and line voltage.

The novel features of the invention which I believe to be patentable are definitely set forth in the appended claims. The principle of the invention together with the construction and` mode of operation of one type of mechanism embodying the invention will be best understood from the following description together with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is a view partly in perspective and partly diagrammatic ot an instrument embodying the general method;

F ig. 2 is a diag am illustrating in plan the flux relations existing in the magnetic circuits of Fig. l; and

Figs. 3 and 4iare similar views showing modified arrangements.

In Fig. l a source ot alternating current energy E is shown, the current 'from which passes successively through the current coils A2A1, 131132 and through a typical load F el non-inductive lamps and Gr, other apparatus such as motors or the like possessing magnetic circuits and requiring magnetizing current 'for their operation. In the arrangement shown the coils A1111 and A2132 'have axes lying in the same plane.

The voltage coils C and D are energized by current drawn from the supply lines and proportional to line voltage. Coil C is encrgized through an inductance I-I while coil D is energized through a resistance J', the values being so chosen that the current through C lags nearly 90 degrees behind that in D, any want oi exact quadrature being compensated lor by a slight adjustment ot the relative angle that coils C and D bear to each other. In what follows this angle is assumed to be 90 degrees. Cther means of securing quadrature relationships between these two voltage currents flowing in C and D will readily occur to those versed in the art.

A In the arrangement shown the coils C and D are rigidly coupled so that at all times the deiinite angle of 90 degrees is maintained between them, but the combination is tree to rotate as a unit about an axis through the planes of the coils, a quill 2 being provided ior this purpose.

Fig. 2 represents the relative directions in space of the fluxes.produced by the windings above described. 1KB is the direction ot the tlux produced by coils A1131 and A2132. FC is the direction in space otl the flux produced by coil C. The angle e which this 'flux makes with the lun Em corresponds to the angle u in Fig. l which the plane oli the coil D .malres with the axis oit A2132. FD is the flux produced by the coil D and makes an angle of 90 with respect to flux FC.

It can be proven mathematically and trom electrical considerations that owing` to the respective torques set up between the coils (A2132 and D) and (A1131 and C) the angle a will equal the complement oi the phase angle existing between line voltage and line current, that is OF-QOwH.

In Fig. l., T1 and T2 represent the torque members of the proposed mechanism. In the particular ease shown they are repre4 sented as cylindrical non-magnetic conductors interposed in the annular space between the torque producing current and voltage elements, but obviously may have any other suitable torni such as discs, depending upon the arrangement of iiuX paths. The torque members T1 and T2 are mounted so as to be rotatable and according to the function to be performed can be restrained by a spring as in indicating and recording instruments or as in relays. As an indication of one method ot metering, an indicating hand 4t is shown together with a torque spring 3 both attached to the torque shalt 1. The result-- ing indication on the dial 5 will thus be proportional to torque.

While the coils A1131, A1151, C and D serve to set up an equililn-ium position amongst themselves which is dependent upon vthe torque member, in contradistinction to their electrical phase displacement, also varies with thev angle a and consequently with the angle 6.

The induced currents in the torque members, interacting with the various fluxes, set up torques the sum of which can be proven to be proportional to the product oit the volts and amperes in the circuit being meas urer'l. as follows: i

The turques set up in the torque member '1"1 are proportional to line current; to line voltage; to the vector angle existing between line current and line voltage; and also to the mechanical angle existing between the two sets oi coils A1111 and C. It can readily be demonstrated that the current induced in the tcrquemcmber by the line current in coils A1131 and cut by the flux created by the current proportional to line voltage but iu phase quadrature therewith in coil C, produces a torque which can be represented by means oi the expression EI cos sin u or since a: (9d-0), by substitution the torque will be tound equal to EI cosg. The current induced in the torque member by the 'voltage current in coil C and cut by the linx due to line current in coils A1131 also produces a torque preportional to EI cosg.

Similarly it can be proven that the toi-ques set up in the torque member T2 by line current in coils A21152 and by current proportional to line voltage in coil D and arTected' by the varying angle which these coils mali with one another are equal to EI sing. The two torques EI sing andv EI cos20 are additive and reduce to the product EI which is rei1n'esentative ol the volt-amperes flowing in the circuit, to some proportion.

1 nr 1 Ui) lli) llo

perpendicular to the torque sha-tt l. Coils C and D are rigidly fastened together by means or the quill 2 and are free to rotate vabout a common axis. Bearings ior t-he quill 2 are understood but have been omitted ttor the salte of simplicity.

The arrangement indicated in the figures is merely indicative of a mechanism embodying the essential principle of the invention and a number of variations in the arrange-V ment ot the actual mechanism can be carried out without departing from the spirit of the invention.

One of the most important of these is inherent in the possibility ot using voltage currents and in consequence voltage tluxes difierino in phase by some other fixed angle `than the angle which has been assumed in the treatment so'tar tor the sake ot simplicity. lt is a. well known fact that a circular rotating eld can be produced by polyphase currents differing in phase relation by other than 900, and tor the employment ot voltage fluxes in the type of arrangement ot Fig. l, due to polyphase voltage, it is thus only necessary to so position the coils that a rotating lield would be produced it their axes intersected, which is achieved by maliing the fixed angle, between the coils C and D oi Fig. l, the supplement of the electrical angle between their currents. The importance of this isseenin the possibility oi thus conveniently measuring the volt-amperes in polyphase circuits. F or instance, in singlephase measurements a voltage in quadrature with the line voltage would be obtained by any suitable and well-known means and would be impressed across one of the voltage windings, the other voltage winding having a voltage ot similar magnitude but in phase agreement with the line voltage impressed across its terminals.

For two-phase measurement it would only be necessary'to impress the two-phase voltages one across each of the Avoltage windings. For these two types of circuits the angle hetween the windings C and D would be made as before described equal to 90C. An arrangement i'for use with two-phase currents is shown in Fig. 3 in which the various windings bear the same reference letters as iii-Fig. l which are shown connected in a two phase circuit tor measuring the volt ainperes in one phase. The coils C and D while shown superimposed in plan retain axially spaced positions. For three-phase measurement the langle could still be made 90o, a quadrature voltage being obtained by the usual methods or, since the line voltages have a phase displacement ot 120 the coils C and D could have a mechanical angle between them of 60, with two line voltages being impressed directly on the voltage windings. This arrangement is shown in Fig. i in which the connections are shown for one type ot three-phase circuit. Coils C and D are displaced GGO relative to one another. It is also recognized that adjustment tor certain numerical constants would be introduced in the measurement of polyphase circuits when necessary.

Arrangements such as above described are -capable of measuring the volt-amperes in one single-phase component of a polyphase circuit or the volt-amperes in a balanced polyphase circuit.

The exact arrangement of parts shown need not be adhered to; it is only essential that the combination ot fluxes and induced currents be correct for the achieving ot the fr result desired. F or instance, a variation can be made with advantage by the use ot iron in the magnetic circuits. This variation leads to the possibility oil' keeping all the windings stationary and arranging for the rotatability ot an armature ot high magnetic permeability within the coils C and D of Fig. l.

1While the primary purpose of the measuring instrument in its various modifica-tions is the measuring of the product of the volts and amperes in a circuit by indicating the instantaneous Values thereof, giving' a graphic record thereof or by integrating the values over a period ot time, a secondary function can be performed in the indicating or recording ot phase angle oi line voltage and current. The rotative windings or tlux element, as the case may be, take up a position such that the angle between one or the shifting fluxes and the stationary flux acting on the torque elementi, is proportional to the phase angle Iexisting in the circuit under consideration. Thus byv attaching a pointer or a means for giving a graphic record to the rotative ux element or windings this visual indication. or record can be achieved. In F ig. l a pointer 6, attached to the quill 2 is shown travelling over a scale 7 which can be divided in any suitable manner.

t is to be understood that the usual auxiliary instruments such as current transiter-mers, potential transformers etc., and the usual well understood instrument connections can be introduced into the exterior circuits as and wh-en desired.

While in the foregoing specilication 'the coils C and D have been described as being energized by ycurrent proportional to line voltage and while the coils Alll, ABB, as

lll)

lill) the case lmay be have been described as being energized by a current proportional to the line current, these coils may be energized in the reverse order; that is coils C and D can be energized by line current while the remaining group oilI coils can be energized by line voltage. It is only necessary that one group of windings be energized in such a manner as to produce a rotating field proportional in magnitude to one of the quantities being measured should their axes intersect while the other set of windings should be energized by the remaining component of the volt-ampere product desired.

Further, the term electrical measuring instrument is here defined as embracing not only what are commonly known as meters but also relays and the like. Also the term rotative or rotation is here taken to mean angular displacement through a limited portion ol one revolution as well ,as through one or more complete revolutions.

That I claim is l. An electrical measuring instrument for the measurement of the product oi the voltage and an'iperage in an alternating current circuit comprising a torque element including two torque members; means for producing in one torque member a torque proportional to El cosg; and means i'or producing therein a torpue proportional to El sinz so that the torque sum is proportional to El (cos20-lsinz) :EL where E is a mea-sure of the voltage existing in the circuit, I -a measure of the current'flowingl and 0 a measure of the phase angle existing between them, the said torque producing means being magnetically isolated the one from the other.

2. An electrical measuring instrument for the measurement et the product ofthe voltage and amperage in an alternating current circuit comprising` a torque element including two torque members; means comprising voltage and current windings producing voltage and current fluxes Vinteracting with one member of the torque element to produce a torque proportional to El cos20; and means comprising voltage and current windings magnetically isolated :from the windings aforesaid and producing other voltage and current fluxes interacting with the other member ot the torque element to produce a torque proportional to El sing@ so that the torque sum is proportional to El, as in claim l; and wherein the torques porportional to the square ot the angular functions sing@ and cosg are produced by a mechanical displacement o'f the means for producingl the respective fluxes with respect to the torque element, proportional to the phase angle of the line current with respect to line volta-ge.

3. An electrical measuring instrument for the measurement of the product of the voltage and amperage in an alternating current circuit comprising a plurality yof torque members each being acted upon by torque producing means comprising curr-ent and voltage windings producing relatively spacially movable voltage and current fluxes interacting to set up a position of equilibrium in space and cutting said torque members; said voltage windings being spacially vdisposed so as to produce non-intersecting flux paths and said current windings being energized from the same phase of the supply circuit.

l. An electrical measuring instrui'nent for the measurement of the product'ol the voltage and amperage in an alternating current circuit comprising a plurality of torque members and a corresponding plurality of torque producing means comprising current and voltage windings relatively movable and adapted to produce fluxes interacting to set up a position of equilibrium between the said windings and cutting said torque elements, in which the voltage windings are so arranged as to produce non-intersecting flux paths, and in which the current windings are excited from the saine phase ot the supply circuit.

An electrical measuring instrument lor the measuren'ient of the product of the voltage and ainperage in an alternating current circuit comprising a plurality of torque units each comprising a torque member, coupled to another; current windings excited in proportion to line current by currents ot the same phase, and voltage windings excited in proportion to voltage by currents difl'ering in phase as between the voltag-e windings oi each torque unit, said vindings being mounted to permit of the relative movement ofthe voltage and current fluxes in respect to the torque elements with changes in the power factor of the circuit under measurement, and said current windings being excited from the same phase otl the supply circuit.

6. An electrical measuring instrument 'for the measurement oil" the product ot the voltage and amper-age in an alternating current cireuit comprising a spindle; a torque element comprising torque members axially spaced and secured to raid spindle; current windings arranged `in ico-operative relationship with the said torque members; voltage windings arranged in co-operative relationship with the said torque members and with the current windings; means for energizing one set of windings with currents differing in phase relationship by a fixed value, said windings being movably mounted to per-r mit ol the relative movement of the voltage and current fluxes with changes in the power factor of the circuit under n'ieasurement, and means for energizing the other set of windings by currents of the same phase.

7. An electrical measuring instrument for the measurement ot the product ot the voitandalnperage in an alternating current Circuit Comprising a spindle; n, torque eloment comprising' two torque members axiully spaced und secured to said spindle; current coils arranged in eo-operative relutionsliip with the said members and energized by Currents of the same phase; a voltage coil arranged in eo-operative relationship With the first torque member; a second Voltage coil arranged in eo-operativerelal@ tonsliip With the second torque member but positioned at right angles to the lirst; said voltage windings being energized by currents differing 900 in phase; said windings being mounted to permit of the relative movement of the Voltage and Current fluxes with changes in the power factor of the ein enit under measurement.

Signed at Toronto, Canada, this 19 day of August, 1925.

VILLIAM FRANK SUTHERLAND. 

